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Started By
Message
3 days Southern Utah help
Posted on 8/28/23 at 7:29 am
Posted on 8/28/23 at 7:29 am
Late October
Arrive LAS Saturday early (830)
Back in LV for conference Tuesday night.
Going to Hoover Dam on Tuesday
So 3 full days and nights in Utah.
I want to do the Highway 12 drive.
And of course Zion and Bryce Canyon are desires.
Problem is too much to see in too short a time. So its more of an overview trip.
So I am really asking what we should not miss.
I want to avoid “you were there and didn’t see ________?”
Place(s) to stay suggestions too.
Thanks in advance for the help.
Arrive LAS Saturday early (830)
Back in LV for conference Tuesday night.
Going to Hoover Dam on Tuesday
So 3 full days and nights in Utah.
I want to do the Highway 12 drive.
And of course Zion and Bryce Canyon are desires.
Problem is too much to see in too short a time. So its more of an overview trip.
So I am really asking what we should not miss.
I want to avoid “you were there and didn’t see ________?”
Place(s) to stay suggestions too.
Thanks in advance for the help.
7
Posted on 8/28/23 at 9:49 am to Tigertown in ATL
your time is short...
you can do a drive thru of zion on highway 9, its beautiful. then take 89 up to 12, and just do the amphitheater area at bryce. you can take a hike down from the amphitheater and hike as long as you want. from there stay on 12 and go thru escalante and boulder. if you have time, take the hell's backbone side trip (amazing, will cost you about 2 hrs). take 12 to 24 and it runs right thru capitol reef
you can do a drive thru of zion on highway 9, its beautiful. then take 89 up to 12, and just do the amphitheater area at bryce. you can take a hike down from the amphitheater and hike as long as you want. from there stay on 12 and go thru escalante and boulder. if you have time, take the hell's backbone side trip (amazing, will cost you about 2 hrs). take 12 to 24 and it runs right thru capitol reef
Posted on 8/28/23 at 11:01 am to cgrand
Thanks!
I saw another post somewhere of yours talking about the highway 12 drive which is why I put it as a priority.
I saw another post somewhere of yours talking about the highway 12 drive which is why I put it as a priority.
Posted on 8/28/23 at 12:40 pm to Tigertown in ATL
If it were me, I'd focus on one area and then go back another time for another area(west side vs east side). I'm not a fan of the drive through way that you're describing, but that's up to you.
3 days is enough for both Zion and Bryce with a full day at each. Depending on how much of Bryce you'd want to see will determine how long you'll be there. It's smaller than Zion, so you can possibly do Bryce and something nearby(maybe Escalante) on the same day if you get after early.
I'd fully recommend hikes at both Zion and Bryce. They're both completely amazing in their own ways. I was in awe the first time I went to Zion and actually getting out and into the park is well worth it. We hiked up to Angels Landing and then past that up the west rim trail for a ways. Went back down and then did Emerald Pools and then a short hike on the way back out. I'll have to get back out there one day and do the Narrows with my family.
If you do drive through, try to come in from the East if it all possible. Maybe hit Bryce and whatever else first, because that drive from the east into the canyon is breathtaking.
3 days is enough for both Zion and Bryce with a full day at each. Depending on how much of Bryce you'd want to see will determine how long you'll be there. It's smaller than Zion, so you can possibly do Bryce and something nearby(maybe Escalante) on the same day if you get after early.
I'd fully recommend hikes at both Zion and Bryce. They're both completely amazing in their own ways. I was in awe the first time I went to Zion and actually getting out and into the park is well worth it. We hiked up to Angels Landing and then past that up the west rim trail for a ways. Went back down and then did Emerald Pools and then a short hike on the way back out. I'll have to get back out there one day and do the Narrows with my family.
If you do drive through, try to come in from the East if it all possible. Maybe hit Bryce and whatever else first, because that drive from the east into the canyon is breathtaking.
This post was edited on 8/28/23 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 8/28/23 at 3:30 pm to Tigertown in ATL
We went this summer but didn't do Bryce. I would definitely do the Narrows and Angel's Landing in Zion. In fact, I would allocate one day to the Narrows. The second day, I would drive to Kanab and ride ATVs in Peekaboo Canyon. You could then hike Angel's Landing in the afternoon.....or you could try to get a permit to hike the Wave in Kanab.
Posted on 8/28/23 at 4:08 pm to Tigers13
I am thinking The Narrows on October 22-24 time frame might be a bit cold for my wife. Didn’t realize it was all in water!
Thoughts on this:
Saturday-drive to Torrey basically a 5 hour drive (keep in mind, even interstate will be new to us).
Sunday-up early and drive down highway 12 to Bryce (we’d be coming east by coming that way). Hike Bryce areas.
Monday-up early and short drive to Zion. Angel’s Landing and whatever else we can do. ATV idea maybe.
Angels Landing-thats the one you go up a narrow ridge holding onto chains? And you need a permit.
Thoughts on this:
Saturday-drive to Torrey basically a 5 hour drive (keep in mind, even interstate will be new to us).
Sunday-up early and drive down highway 12 to Bryce (we’d be coming east by coming that way). Hike Bryce areas.
Monday-up early and short drive to Zion. Angel’s Landing and whatever else we can do. ATV idea maybe.
Angels Landing-thats the one you go up a narrow ridge holding onto chains? And you need a permit.
This post was edited on 8/28/23 at 4:29 pm
Posted on 8/28/23 at 4:56 pm to Tigertown in ATL
We were there last October, but had most of two weeks to explore Southern Utah. On Oct. 22/23 we had about 6" of snow in Bryce and in the upper areas of Capital Reef they had 20+ inches with about 10-12 inches in the Ampitheater area.
With only three days you will be hard pressed to see more than Bryce and Zion unless you're not planning on hiking in either. Sunrise and Sunset are great at Bryce. You have to deal with the shuttle in Zion, get there early.
When you drive up from LV, north of St George is Snow Canyon SP. It's like a compact version of some areas of southern Utah.
With only three days you will be hard pressed to see more than Bryce and Zion unless you're not planning on hiking in either. Sunrise and Sunset are great at Bryce. You have to deal with the shuttle in Zion, get there early.
When you drive up from LV, north of St George is Snow Canyon SP. It's like a compact version of some areas of southern Utah.
Posted on 8/28/23 at 5:41 pm to Tigertown in ATL
Stay in Kanab
Day 1: Zion & Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Day 2: Bryce
Day 3: Toadstools near Kanab in Morning, Hwy 12 Afternoon all the way to Boulder, see the landscape change as you climb.
Day 1B: Full day Zion
Day 2B: Bryce + Hwy 12
Day 3B: Toadstools + Pink Sand Dunes
Day 1: Zion & Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Day 2: Bryce
Day 3: Toadstools near Kanab in Morning, Hwy 12 Afternoon all the way to Boulder, see the landscape change as you climb.
Day 1B: Full day Zion
Day 2B: Bryce + Hwy 12
Day 3B: Toadstools + Pink Sand Dunes
This post was edited on 8/28/23 at 5:43 pm
Posted on 8/28/23 at 5:58 pm to LSUfan20005
We did two days at Zion and one day at Bryce completing day hikes at both each day. That’s very doable.
The drive across 14 from Cedar City to 89 is breathtaking.
The drive across 14 from Cedar City to 89 is breathtaking.
Posted on 8/28/23 at 7:43 pm to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
Arrive LAS Saturday early (830) Back in LV for conference Tuesday night. Going to Hoover Dam on Tuesday So 3 full days and nights in Utah.
You don’t have 3 full days. I would recommend getting this out of your head. Las Vegas to Zion is a 3 hour drive and that doesn’t count your 8:30am flight arrival and luggage and car pick up. Add in food stop and what not and you honestly will be lucky to get to Zion by 3pm.
You could easily just do Zion, you really have 1 full day and 2 partial days. That’s not too much for Zion. It’s a great park. It could be rushed in a day easily, but it can also be enjoyed.
Bryce is easily a day trip.
People routinely underestimate how big the west is. Long drives take awhile. I’m all about knocking stuff out but I’d consider reducing the load and hitting fewer places hard and thorough here.
Posted on 8/29/23 at 12:00 am to LSUfan20005
quote:
Stay in Kanab
Posted on 8/29/23 at 8:10 am to jmarto1
What’s the deal with Kanab? Recommended by 2 of you.
And thanks to all for the contributions. Very helpful.
And thanks to all for the contributions. Very helpful.
Posted on 8/29/23 at 8:54 am to Tigertown in ATL
quote:
Angels Landing-thats the one you go up a narrow ridge holding onto chains? And you need a permit.
Yes. You'll have to apply for a permit. If you don't get one, the hike up the w rim past it is great too. You can still hike up to Scouts Landing without a permit. Scouts is where the walk out to Angels Landing starts. It's not an easy hike up to Scouts Landing either. You just need to be in decent shape, but you'll be huffing after Walters Wiggles.
If you or anyone your going with have any fear of heights or anything like that, you don't need to do Angels Landing.
This is looking at Angels Landing from farther up the west rim
LINK
This post was edited on 8/29/23 at 9:02 am
Posted on 8/29/23 at 9:45 am to CharlieTiger
quote:
You'll have to apply for a permit.
We were there this summer with a large group and had no issues getting a permit the day before using the lottery system. We did it several days for different people in the group.
Posted on 8/29/23 at 2:51 pm to Tigertown in ATL
Kanab and Hurricane (pronouncer hurri-khan cause you'll get corrected) are the best jumping off points for Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon. You can also do a quick stopover at Horseshoe Bend. It is essentially a roadside stop but worth it. Plenty of other things to do as well in a short drive. I recommend Antelope Canyon
Posted on 8/29/23 at 6:25 pm to Tigertown in ATL
You don't have enough time to soak everything in. Like someone else mentioned driving times are longer than you think out west and things get crowded on weekends, especially at Zion where there is limited parking and you have to use the shuttle. Unless money is very tight, make your life easy and book a room in Springdale for Sat, Sun and Mon nights. Plenty of nice places to stay and good restaurants and the park is right there.
Saturday - 1/2 day at Zion
Sunday - full day at Zion
Monday - day trip to either Bryce or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (which I think is underrated but if you've been to the GC before hit Bryce instead) Also check weather for that time of year for both as they are at high elevation.
Tuesday - drive back to LV/Hoover Dam
Other tips - unless Angel's Landing is on your bucket list I would skip it. Instead do the Canyon Overlook hike - it's a much shorter, easier hike with great views at the end. You can also do this in the morning on your way to Bryce. The trailhead is right after you drive through the long rock tunnel. I would also recommend skipping the upper Emerald Pools. Not worth the climb and crowds in my opinion.
My favorite hike is to get off at the Grotto shuttle stop, cross the river, turn right and hike towards Angels Landing about 1/2 mile until you get views of the Bend then turn around and hike the Kenyatta Trail to the Lower Emerald Pools then hike the Emerald Pools trail all the way back down to the Grove of the Patriarchs.
For Bryce, get a brochure and map at the entrance station and drive all the way to Rainbow Point first stopping at all of the scenic areas identified on the map. Then drive back to Sunrise Point/ the lodge and do whatever hike you like. A lot of people stop in this area first and never leave but the full road has some amazing sights.
For the North Rim, hike to Bright Angel point then chill out on the patio of the lodge with some drinks. If the roads are still open drive up to Point Imperial and Angels Window.
Posted on 8/30/23 at 6:20 am to Tigertown in ATL
There are not a lot of “towns” in the region, and you’ll be surprised how far apart grocery stores and restaurants are.
Kanab is a really cool small town that is close to most activities, has gas/groceries/restaurants, and is clean, quaint and safe.
Escalante is also pretty cool, but has fewer amenities.
FWIW the first time I went I rented a house in Alton, and a moonless night gave me the best stars I’ve ever experienced.
Kanab is a really cool small town that is close to most activities, has gas/groceries/restaurants, and is clean, quaint and safe.
Escalante is also pretty cool, but has fewer amenities.
FWIW the first time I went I rented a house in Alton, and a moonless night gave me the best stars I’ve ever experienced.
Posted on 8/30/23 at 8:47 am to LSUfan20005
quote:
FWIW the first time I went I rented a house in Alton, and a moonless night gave me the best stars I’ve ever experienced.
I stayed in Alton, or rather, just outside of it at an airbnb. Totally secluded. It was perfect and right between Zion and Bryce.
We started into Bryce down Wall St at Sunset point, wound through the Queens Garden and then up around the Chinese Wall and out near the visitors center. The only issue is you have to walk back to your car, but it's a straight shot for the most part along the rim. Highly recommend getting down into Bryce if you have the time.
Posted on 8/31/23 at 5:43 am to CharlieTiger
This thread has been fantastic. Thanks so much for all the help.
We have an AirBnB booked in Kanab.
Going to look into the Narrows (suit rental for the cold water) and possibly Scout Lookout. Seems you might not need a permit for that if you are not doing AL.
Drive/hike Bryce.
We have an AirBnB booked in Kanab.
Going to look into the Narrows (suit rental for the cold water) and possibly Scout Lookout. Seems you might not need a permit for that if you are not doing AL.
Drive/hike Bryce.
Posted on 8/31/23 at 7:25 am to Tigertown in ATL
I was there in November and we lucked out with really nice weather, but plenty of people were doing the narrows. Obviously warmer weather would be preferred, but I’d definitely do that trip in October if at all possible.
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